Chapter 30: Learning the Ways of Earth
Kael-X stood at the edge of a bustling street, observing the chaotic yet structured movements of the humans around him. He had been in countless battlefields, faced unimaginable threats, but adapting to a simple, everyday life on Earth was proving to be a challenge of its own.
Dressed in civilian clothing—an oversized hoodie that concealed most of his face and a pair of dark jeans—he blended in better than before. His long silver hair, which still covered his eyes, drew occasional glances, but no one questioned it.
The world around him was noisy. Cars honked, people chattered into small rectangular devices, and bright screens flashed advertisements about things he didn't understand. He had walked these streets for hours, processing everything. Humans lived in a world of rapid communication and constant movement, yet they were oblivious to the hidden dangers around them.
Kael-X had spent the previous night watching television in a motel room. He had learned about money, jobs, and how humans acquired resources. He also learned that food here was different from what he was used to—processed, artificial, and often expensive.
His first goal was simple: blend in, get food, and learn.
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He entered a small diner, the smell of frying food filling his senses. A waitress, a young woman with tired eyes, approached him with a notepad.
"What'll it be?" she asked.
Kael-X hesitated. He had seen humans order food in shows, but it was different when doing it himself. His eyes scanned the menu. Burgers. Fries. Soda. He had no idea what they tasted like, but he decided to follow what others around him were ordering.
"The same as them," he said, pointing at a man devouring a burger at a nearby table.
The waitress raised an eyebrow but didn't question it. "Alright, one cheeseburger and fries. Drink?"
Kael-X looked at the options. Soda? Water? He chose the safest. "Water."
As he waited, he observed. The people here were relaxed, unaware that a being as powerful as him sat among them. They had no idea of the battles he had fought, the creatures he had faced.
The food arrived, and Kael-X inspected it. The burger was strange—soft bread, some sort of cooked meat, and strange sauces. He took a careful bite. The taste was… unexpected. It was different from anything he had eaten before, but it wasn't bad.
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After finishing his meal, Kael-X realized another problem—he had no money. He watched how people paid, handing over paper and small metal coins. He had nothing like that.
The waitress returned with a bill. "That'll be twelve dollars."
Kael-X stared at the number. He had no idea what dollars were worth, but he could sense that he needed them to survive here. He had two options: leave without paying or find a way to earn money.
A thought crossed his mind—jobs. Humans worked for money. But what kind of job could someone like him do?
Then, an idea struck him.
He looked at the waitress. "Is there a way to earn money here?"
She gave him a confused look. "You mean, like a job? We're not hiring, but some places always need workers."
Kael-X nodded, standing up. "I'll return to pay for this meal."
Before she could question him, he walked out of the diner and stepped back into the busy streets.
Now, he needed to figure out how to survive in this world.
Kael-X walked aimlessly down the street, processing everything he had observed. The more he learned, the more he realized how fragile human life was. Their reliance on technology, their need for food and money—everything was structured in a way that seemed inefficient to him.
Still, he had to play along. If he was going to survive here, he had to find a way to blend in completely.
His first problem was money. He had none.
As he walked, he noticed several people standing around a tall pole with moving images on a screen. A job advertisement flashed across it:
"Need quick cash? Help unload shipments at the docks! No experience needed! Come to Pier 17 at sundown."
It seemed simple enough. If humans did it, he could too.
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Pier 17 – Sundown
The docks were filled with the scent of saltwater and fish, and the sound of shouting workers filled the air. Large cargo ships were docked, and humans were moving crates using machines and sheer manpower.
Kael-X approached a group of workers who were lifting heavy boxes. A man wearing a reflective vest and holding a clipboard spotted him.
"You here for the job?" the man asked.
Kael-X nodded.
"Good. We pay at the end of the shift. Just help move these crates onto the trucks."
Kael-X glanced at the crates. They were heavy for normal humans, but to him, they were nothing.
He crouched down, grabbed a crate, and effortlessly lifted it with one hand. He noticed that the other workers struggled to carry the same crates with two people. He quickly realized that he needed to hold back his strength.
He adjusted his movements, making it seem like he was struggling just enough to blend in. Hours passed as he worked, mimicking the pace of those around him.
By the time the shift ended, he received a small stack of paper bills—his first earnings.
"Good work, kid," the supervisor said. "You strong for your size. Come back tomorrow if you need more work."
Kael-X nodded, stuffing the money into his pocket. He had successfully earned his first human currency.
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Finding Shelter
With money in hand, Kael-X needed a place to stay. Sleeping on the streets would attract too much attention. He passed by a small motel and saw a sign that read:
"Rooms available – $30 per night."
He counted the money he had earned—just barely enough for a night.
He walked inside, approaching the counter. A bored-looking man glanced up.
"Need a room?"
Kael-X slid the money onto the counter. "One night."
The man handed him a key. "Room 207. Check-out's at 10 AM."
Kael-X took the key and climbed the stairs.
The room was small, with a single bed, a tiny bathroom, and a flickering lightbulb. It was nothing like the places he had rested in before, but for now, it was enough.
He sat on the bed, staring at his reflection in the cracked mirror. His silver hair fell over his face, covering his eyes completely.
He recalled something he had seen on television—barber shops. Humans trimmed their hair to look more presentable.
He would need to do the same.
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The Next Morning
Kael-X stepped into a small barbershop. The barber, a middle-aged man with a thick mustache, eyed him.
"You need a cut?"
Kael-X nodded but hesitated. "But the hair should still cover my face."
The barber chuckled. "You one of those mysterious types, huh? Alright, I'll clean it up but keep the front long."
As the barber worked, Kael-X felt the strange sensation of scissors cutting through his hair. By the time it was done, his hair was slightly shorter, but still covering his eyes.
He stood, handed over the last of his money, and walked out.
Now, he had a job, a place to stay, and a slightly more human appearance.
The next step? Understanding this world better.